Quality control mechanism and process for a biofluid multi-ejector system
US6514704B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 1, 2001 |
| Grant date | Feb 4, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 1, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2035/1037
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and mechanism for ensuring quality control in printed biological assays is provided. A multi-ejector system having a plurality of individual drop ejectors is loaded with a variety of biofluids. Biofluids include at least a carrier fluid, a biological material to be used in the testing, and markers, such as fluorescent dyes. Data regarding the biofluid loaded in each of the drop ejectors is stored along with an expected signature output of the biofluid. Particularly, the signature output represents signals from individual ones of the fluorescent markers included within the biofluid. Once a biological assay consisting of the biofluid drops has been printed, a scanner capable of detecting the markers scans the biological assay and obtains signature output signals for each of the drops of the biological assay. A comparing operation is undertaken to compare the obtained signature output through the scanning operation, with the expected signature output signals for the biofluid loaded in the corresponding drop ejector. The biological material itself may also be tagged with a marker to ensure its inclusion in the biofluid. By the comparing operation, it is possible to verify the …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.